Questions about Lisa Goldstein's Story, "Alfred" (Asimov's Science Fiction, Dec. 1992; included in Travellers in Magic (NY, TOR/Thomas Doherty Associates, 1994)

Break up into small groups. Delegate one or more members of your group to (1) prepare a summary of your group's discussion and (2) make a list of your group's members.


1.  In this story, who is haunted, and by what?

2.  Do you know anyone who is haunted by past events?  If so, how do they deal with that?   Are they successful?

3.  This story raises a question about whether or not the world is a bad place.  What do you think the author thinks about that question? 

4.  Why does Joey have nightmares?

5. Given recent history, are Joey's worries irrational? 


Michael Kagan
Le Moyne College
11/9/04; last revised 10/10/17

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